Here is Naomi Wolf speaking yesterday in Glasgow.
According to Statcounter, so far at least 1,956 people have watched the youtube of my own speech from this website alone – yet the Youtube webcounter is currently showing 288. Can anyone explain this?
With thanks to Node, this is the transcript of my speech:
Thank you very much. It’s great to be here. It’s fantastic to be following Pat. What a speech. You know, we had Jim Murphy and Dougie Alexander saying that Nationalists are all violent and intimidating, whereas actually we’re sitting down to Pat, talking about medieval history and Noam Chomsky.
We have not lost. We are still here and we are still fighting for independence, and we have built with 1.6 million people the biggest social movement in Scottish history, and it’s going forward.
Two weeks before the vote, the Financial Times published that for the first time ever in the United Kingdom, there were now one hundred billionaires, and the Financial Times seemed to be proud of that. It is a disgrace that there are one hundred billionaires in the country where we have food banks because children are going hungry. We are here because we want to create a country which has no hungry children and no billionaires.
The reaction to the referendum result has been for politics at the Westminster level to move still further to the right. We have seen Ukip make advances in the last few days and when you see Ukip campaign on the ground, their strategy, their entire propaganda, is purely based on racism, and it is appalling that they are getting elected in England in bye-elections, and the response to that at Westminster has been to say that everybody should move further to the right and onto the same ground. We’ve got the Labour party saying they’re going to be tougher on immigration, everybody striving to be more racist than the next person. I was in Dundee campaigning and I was told by an old lady she’d been told do not vote for Independence because the SNP will let all the black people in, and that was the Labour party who were saying that.
We have got to recover the moral ground. We have got to build an ethical country, a country we can be proud of – in its politics, in its multi-culturalism, in its inclusion, in its social provision for those more needy, we have got to change.
I’m not interested anyway, frankly, in a few more powers for the Scottish parliament. For me it makes no difference at all if they can change income tax a penny this way, a penny that way, if they’re still sending our children to fight and die in illegal wars.
We have to move towards a future, a future of independence. I don’t just have hope, I have certainty that we’re going to get there, and next time as we campaign as a country, it goes forward, we’re going for full and true independence.
We are saying “No to Trident“, but we are also saying “No to Nato“. We are also saying “No to the pound sterling,” we’ll have our own currency. And we are saying “No to the queen“, we don’t need her. And I’ll tell you this, when the queen was purring down the telephone to David Cameron, that was not purring, that was the death rattle of the monarchy in Scotland.
We are moving forward. We are going to win, and we are going to be a free and independent nation. Thank you.
As regulars here know, my forte is the one hour talk. You can’t develop an argument in five minutes. But my basic thinking, which I tried to get across to people, is that the Tory leaning SNP supporters of Broughty Ferry and their ilk voted No anyway. A genuine argument for the Scotland we want, promoted with real passion, is more appropriate now than Independence Lite, or the “don’t worry nothing will change” approach.
No Nato, No Pound Sterling, No Monarch should be the motto.
“so far at least 1,956 people have watched the youtube of my own speech from this webdite alone – yet the Youtube webcounter is currently showing 288. Can anyone explain this?”
Yes.
Around the 300 views mark, the youtube counter stops counting temporarily while the views are verified. It can take quite a while for the counter to be updated.
Martin
Thanks. Googled that, and everything says it blocks at 301 whereas this seems to have blocked well before that. Also some interesting discussion around it.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Shocking-Secret-Behind-YouTube-s-301-Views-XKCD-360394.shtml
Your optimism is admirable, Craig. William Wallace didn’t see how anything substantive would change unless he pushed north to York and invaded England. The Clans were ok with expanded title and property. Trimming the ancient Oak wouldn’t do it.
Saplings must be planted in it’s place.
sheesh ‘south’ to York.
I quite like the new name banded about for George Square, “Freedom Square” it has a more refreshing ring to it, than a name after a fat decedent insane inbred monarch.
Mind you his son George IV was even more debauched and rotund than his mad mad father.
I don’t know about YouTube accounting Craig but I do know that people have to look after themselves and their families first. Expecting voters, half of whom have IQs less than the median 100, to share your vision without translating it into tangible improvements to their lives is a big ask. Do a survey and ask some ordinary folk what NATO stands for. I’d be surprised if more than 50% answer correctly. How can those voters make an informed and intelligent assessment about independence based on the withdrawal from a treaty they can’t even name in full?
If you want to get Scots to support a future independence vote, you need to run at least two different campaigns that articulates in terms of real benefits for people who are tired of being sucked in and ripped off by men in suits.
“people have to look after themselves and their families first”. Meaningless tosh. Have the peoples of the 150 odd nation states that achieved independence since 1945 failed to look after their families?
Craig, good wee speech – thought the audio was decent enough.
“Here is Naomi Wolf speaking yesterday in Glasgow.” Is there a link to her speaking?
Jemand now links to the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
http://atheistfoundation.org.au/about-us/
Previously Sam Harris http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Harris_(author) and Why Won’t God Heal Amputees http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Take your pick.
Naomi Wolf here on video.
http://naomiwolf.org/2014/10/naomi-wolf-at-the-hope-over-fear-rally-george-square-glasgow-scotland-oct-12-2014/
Craig, good wee speech – thought the audio was decent enough.
“Here is Naomi Wolf speaking yesterday in Glasgow.” Is there a link to her speaking?
_____________________________
Former Dundee Man
I’m not sure if an official one exists, out of the 5 hours that the rally span, I think about an hour, or more, was recorded by the Livestream team.
Various problems arose from no Wi-Fi in George Square a constant upload link breakage, and batteries with a short charge on them, the good news though is many members of the public caught some of it on their own devices, then uploaded it to various sites,it a case of searching for it.
Naomi Wolf here on video.
_______________________
Good find Mary, well done.
sorry, something went wrong meant to embed Naomi – should be there now
The fact that the Labour wingnuts were out in force all day yesterday on social media bad mouthing the rally tells me all I need to know.
If they don’t like it , it can only be a force for good.
“Meaningless tosh.””
I thought Jemand made a good point. I think he’s agreeing with your views on radical change, Craig, and adding his tuppence worth on how to achieve it.
He’s not saying that independence will necessarily weaken people’s ability to look after themselves and their families. He’s saying, correctly, that when people have a big decision to make, they will first consider the effect it will have on their families. Paint the grand picture by all means, but also explain in bread and butter terms how these changes will affect day to day life in Scotland.
Brilliant that Naomi Woof came across to highlight some of the fraud that’s been taking place.
No doubt the MSM will be falling over themselves to put it into print.
I wasn’t that open to the ‘We Wiz robbed’ meme around the vote but the continuous and co-ordinated attacks on social media on anyone mentioning it and turning it into a ‘tinfoil’ cause makes me a little more suspicious.
Kenny
Yes. Still sceptical but listening.
No Nato, No Pound Sterling, No Monarch should be the motto.
Hey, you forgot, “no English,” although I suppose the genocide of the English is implied by the plugs for multi-culturalism, i.e., more immigrants please, to replace the English already a minority in London, Leicester Luton and among the youth of Birmingham.
As for “We have not lost.” Yes you lost the referendum and you’ll see a UKIP (now on 25% and rising) government before you see another “independence” vote, which would actually be a vote not for independence but for the break-up of the UK and the subjugation of the parts to the undemocratic EU superstate headed by the unelected not-very-Scotch Mr. Claude-Jean Juncker.
Anyhow, it’s good to see you not in such an ugly mood today.
From the estimable John Hilley.
Monday, 13 October 2014
‘We are their hope’. Great resolve at Glasgow rally for Independence
An inspiring turnout, fine speeches and a resilient desire for the compassionate, independent society.
Yesterday’s Hope Over Fear gathering in Glasgow’s George Square heard wonderful, people-centred statements from actors Martin Compston, Keira Lucchesi and Paul Brannigan, Loaves and Fishes foodbank organiser Denis Curran, ex-UK ambassador Craig Murray, Unison’s Brian Smith, activist Tommy Sheridan, disabled ‘climber for Indy’ Lindsay Jarrett, SNP councillor David Baird and multiple others across the grassroots Yes movement.
There was also a stirring array of musical sets from Dorec-a-belle, Indy Girls and many other Yes artistes.
But for her beautiful defence of the poor, and passionate pursuit of a just Indy, I’d like to highlight a particular articulation from the young Yes campaigner Mhairi Black.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyJmDcQf-qU
Those atop the Glasgow tourist buses might have been transfixed by the sea of saltires – and the daring St Andrew-crossed spiderman up on Walter Scott’s ugly monument. But, as Mhairi and the communal mood of those assembled helped confirm, the real expression here was not one of stone cold nationalism, but of warm humanity.
And that’s the real beauty of this rising Yes movement. It’s engagingly inclusive and leftfield, infused with an overwhelming desire for progressive social change. Alongside Mhairi, almost every speaker prioritised this basic, burning demand for economic justice, real political rights and, with amplified voice, a resounding rejection of Labour’s betrayal politics.
After all the pain of 19 September, we can take great encouragement from this vibrant Yes energy and the great new-generational voices for Indy.
For all those still crushed by that vote, particularly those facing another seemingly hopeless winter of ConDem austerity and Labourite abandonment, there’s Mhairi Black’s assuring words (taken from her mum) to hold on to: ‘we are their hope’.
http://johnhilley.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/we-are-their-hope-great-resolve-at.html
“Jemand now links to the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
http://atheistfoundation.org.au/about-us/
Previously Sam Harris http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Harris_(author) and Why Won’t God Heal Amputees http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Take your pick.”
Thanks, Mary. You forgot this one –
http://www.patcondell.net/laughing-at-the-new-inquisition/
What a twatish response to Jemand’s post! Be careful Craig, like Jemand points out – you are going to have to explain things so that the common man can understand it – that would be your duty as champion of this cause.
Some of the “racism” you talk about is from working class people that live in poor areas, as far as they can see there are less jobs for them because of an influx of foreigners. It’s a real fear. If you can’t understand that, and think it’s just racism then you should forget this cause.
I was thinking about this the other day, I went through a part of my town that used to have family owned homes in the center. Now it’s a mix of broken houses and “multiculturalism” . Perhaps people moved out to better areas when they were offered a mortgage that they shouldn’t have been able to afford, who knows. The fact remains, a once nice area looks horrendous and you could forgive people for adding a 2 and 2 and getting 5 i.e. it’s since those immigrants came here….
Are you actually fighting for independence for all the people of Scotland or just the ones you deem intellectually acceptable to you?
‘Still listening’
Naomi also made the point of ‘having only four more weeks’ for a judicial review and a recount.
————·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node
13 Oct, 2014 – 3:38 pm
“Meaningless tosh.”
I thought Jemand made a good point. I think he’s agreeing with your views on radical change, Craig, and adding his tuppence worth on how to achieve it.
He’s not saying that independence will necessarily weaken people’s ability to look after themselves and their families. He’s saying, correctly, that when people have a big decision to make, they will first consider the effect it will have on their families. Paint the grand picture by all means, but also explain in bread and butter terms how these changes will affect day to day life in Scotland.
. . . .
Thank you, Node. That’s pretty much what I meant but clearly failed to articulate for Craig’s benefit. It wasn’t hard for the ‘Better Together’ camp to arouse sufficient doubt and fear in a minority of *responsible* people with mortgages. Enough to edge the outcome in their favour. Voters might be dumb, or not, but they know that the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees.
Taking them for granted and then abusing them is just plain wrong.
Marcus,
They should visit the South side of Glasgow where I was drinking last night. Hugely improved by the large Asian population.
Media propaganda and environmental factors like poverty might mitigate racism, just like they might mitigate violent crime. But it is only mitigation, it does not absolve of all moral responsibility. The idea that the working classes are inherently noble, even when they are bigoted racist bastards, is not one I will ever subscribe to. Thankfully the level of racism in Scotland is very low – particularly compared to Thanet, where I have been living, and much else of England.
My first thought today upon waking today was the war.
I’d say uncertainty is certain. But imagine the difference not being involved in constant warfare (for oil) would make. God knows the effect on children who have also been made part of this.
It is the most disgusting and grave thing for a country to embark on, but to our authorities it’s the first order or business. War. Really a part of the national character. It’s an evil country. And they know it.
A solderer said it’s better to be under the wing of the devil. He told me that, straight out. What kind of a county kills people for wealth? What kind of people are happy they are doing evil and be fine with it?
I haven’t filled out tax form in a few years now, I don’t owe any, iv earned pittance. As part of a system of “inducements and punishments” charges are about £1500 and counting. More than I earned in a year. But I’m just finding it very difficult to take part in what this county is. Go through long bouts of depression and anger. You see this stuff and are disturbed to be part of it at some universal human level imo.
People want to talk about benefits, what about the constant traumatising, victimisation and exploitation of the population. Just to be without this ‘culture’ would be a blessing. It’s a really fucked up country that fucks people up at home and abroad. And when you can not longer function properly as a direct result they punish you again, implying some individual character flaw. Lol, Yes the flaw is humanity compassion and being civilised. Imagine that.
Jemand
I did understand where you were coming from – just not a view I am very sympathetic to – relates to my reply to Marcus, in a way.
They should visit the South side of Glasgow where I was drinking last night. Hugely improved by the large Asian population.
Great! There’ll be nothing wrong with Glasgow at all once the Scotch have been entirely replaced by Asians.
Craig, you don’t have to be honest with us but you owe it to yourself to decide whether this independence movement for Scotland is about improving the lot of the common man or for giving a small group of privileged men a place in history as folk heroes?
Ben
“William Wallace didn’t see how anything substantive would change unless he pushed north to York”
“sheesh ‘south’ to York.”
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You’ll find it easier if you don’t post while standing on your head, Ben.
Just suggestin’.